MyKad, tissue essential for voting

KOTA MARUDU: MyKad and tissue - two things you must not forget when leaving home today for voting in the 14th general election.

“These two things are important. One ensures you are eligible to vote and the other will make sure your vote counts,” said Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili during a gathering at Kampung Nolotan, here, yesterday.

The Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister reminded the people that their MyKad is the only document recognised by the Election Commission personnel to identify registered voters.

“The tissue, or handkerchief, is to cover your inked finger from smudging the ballot papers.

“A little smudge, or in fact even a little dot, on the ballot paper would be considered as a spoilt vote," said the incumbent and Barisan Nasional candidate for P168 Kota Marudu on the eve of the polling day.

He noted that voters should be more careful “when putting the ‘X' on their ballot paper”, stressing that every vote counts.

BN candidate for Tawau parliamentary seat, Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching, also urged voters to exercise their right today and to be careful when handling their ballot papers to avoid spoilt votes.

The PBS candidate urged voters to bring along tissues to the voting stations to dab off any excess ink on their finger to avoid staining the ballot paper before marking a cross on it.

She made the call at a lunch gathering with the Hakka community and Buddhist Association here yesterday.